Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden said his group reserved the right to fight the United States on its land and warned Washington and the world community against sending forces to Somalia, according to an Internet audio tape.

"We will fight its (U.S.) soldiers on the land of Somalia ... and we reserve the right to punish it on its land and anywhere possible," said the speaker, who sounded like the Saudi-born militant.

"We warn all of the countries in the world not to respond to America by sending international troops to Somalia," he said of the African nation where Islamists' power is rising.

An Islamic fundamentalist listed by the State Department as a suspected al-Qaida collaborator was chosen a few days ago as the new leader of a Muslim militia that has seized control of all of Somalia. But Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys’ appointment makes it unlikely that the increasingly powerful militia will govern using the moderate form of Islam practiced by most Somalis.

"America Supports You" spotlights what Americans are doing in support of the military all across the land, encourages others to thank the troops and allows all to tell their stories by giving voice and visibility to their efforts.

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ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Defense Minister Amir Peretz spoke on Saturday evening with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and asked her to send an "aggressive" message to Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Peretz said that he saw Syria as responsible for the kidnapping of IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit last Sunday, and therefore Assad had a responsibility to secure Shalit's release, Army Radio reported.

Meanwhile, the US is calling on Syria to stop all support to the Hamas and to close the organization offices in Damascus. At the same time, diplomatic sources say there is no sign of American pressure on Syria to act on this issue. The administration is not considering further sanctions on Syria and is focusing its pressure on other issues, including the Hariri assassination investigation and the Syrian role in assisting the insurgency in Iraq.

State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli, said Friday that the US is aware of the support Syria is giving the Hamas and that this kind of support is "wrong and needs to end." At the State Department's daily press briefing, Ereli added that the US "told the Syrians that it's important that they shut down the offices of Hamas and they shut down the offices of those who support terror.""

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman This information is current as of today, Sat Jul 01 2006 14:20:35 GMT-0700.

Worldwide Caution

June 06, 2006

This Public Announcement updates information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against Americans and interests overseas. This supersedes the Worldwide Caution dated December 12, 2005 and expires on December 6, 2006.

The Department of State remains concerned about the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas. Americans are reminded that demonstrations and rioting can occur with little or no warning. The publication in the international press of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed, for example, led to widespread demonstrations and riots in several countries.

The March 2006 bombing near the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan, illustrates the continuing desire of al-Qaida to strike official American targets. Current information suggests that al-Qaida and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks against U.S. interests in multiple regions, including Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics to include assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings and bombings.

Extremists may elect to use conventional or non-conventional weapons, and target private interests or soft targets with a reduced security posture. Examples of such targets include high-profile sporting events, residential areas, business offices, clubs, restaurants, hotels, places of worship, schools, public areas and locales where Americans gather in large numbers, including during holidays. Financial or economic targets of value may also be considered as possible venues; the failed attack on the Abqaiq oil processing facility in Saudi Arabia in late February 2006 is one such example.

In the wake of the July 2005 London bombings and the March 2004 train attacks in Madrid, Americans are reminded of the potential for terrorists to attack public transportation systems. In addition, extremists may also select aviation and maritime services as possible targets.

U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of local events, and take the appropriate steps to bolster their personal security. For additional information, please refer to A Safe Trip Abroad found at http://travel.state.gov.

U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert. These facilities may temporarily close or periodically suspend public services to assess their security posture. In those instances, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. Americans abroad are urged to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

As the Department continues to develop information on any potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threat information through its Consular Information Program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

 More than two centuries ago, groups of patriots gathered in halls and in farm houses to debate the course of a young nation's destiny. Their journey was a difficult one. Early in their pursuit of freedom, a man named James Allen wrote in his diary, "Many thinking people believe America has seen its best days." But, many other Americans thought better, and the result of their determination was a government dedicated to the inherent equality of all people and their unalienable right to liberty. It was one group of patriots in particular - farmers and shopkeepers turned colonial soldiers - that our nation relied upon to secure those ideals. The soldiers suffered many defeats along the way, but they never surrendered their willingness to make any sacrifice for a cause greater than themselves.

Promoting the highest of ideals and defending them at all costs is a defining characteristic of what it is to be American. The American commitment to a noble cause began at Lexington and Concord, but it did not end with a surrender at Yorktown. The work continued -- in the courage of generations who marched for suffrage and civil rights, and on hundreds of battlefields, from Gettysburg to Normandy to Tal Afar.

Today, we continue to be blessed by the service of men and women as dedicated to the cause of freedom as the first generation who wore our country's uniform. And it is during this time of year we reflect on our freedoms and way of life secured through their actions. Those men and women -- volunteers all -- serve and they sacrifice along dusty streets in harsh lands, aboard ships sailing across the globe's oceans, and among our communities, all with a single purpose: to make safe the blessings we are privileged to enjoy.

To each of you serving our nation's highest ideals, know that you are part of a proud legacy. You have been and are making history, and you will be an inspiration for the generations to come. May God bless each of you. May God bless your families and your loved ones. And may God continue to bless our wonderful country.

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "DALLAS (AP) - A laptop containing personal information from thousands of blood donors _ including Social Security numbers and medical information _ was stolen from a local office of the American Red Cross, but officials said the information was encrypted.

The data included matching names and birth dates of donors from Texas and Oklahoma, as well as donors' sexual and disease histories.

"We haven't viewed this as a security breach at this point," Darren Irby, spokesman for the national American Red Cross office, told The Dallas Morning News for its Saturday editions.

The laptop was one of three stolen from a locked closet in the Farmers Branch office of the American Red Cross in May, but the two others did not contain the personal information. There was no sign of forced entry, said Red Cross spokeswoman Audrey Lundy."

ARTICLE SNIPPET #2: "The Farmers Branch Red Cross also lost a laptop with encrypted donor information in June 2005, Lundy said, but she could provide no details on circumstances of that incident or any follow-up investigation."

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "TIJUANA, Mexico (Reuters) - Hitmen strafe two women with machine guns, severed heads are dumped in garbage bags near the U.S. border and outside public offices in Acapulco, a police chief is gunned town in a Caribbean tourist resort.

The grisly murders, all in the past week, are among the latest in an increasingly savage and spectacular wave of drug gang violence sweeping across Mexico as the country heads to the polls in a presidential vote on Sunday.

The dead are victims of an all-out war between rival gangs for control of the multibillion-dollar cocaine, marijuana and amphetamine trade to the United States which has killed more than 1,000 people in the past year.

While jailing drug kingpins has been a main goal for outgoing President Vicente Fox during his six years in office, the issue has been placed firmly on the back burner during campaigning.

Mexicans are appalled by the violence but most of the deaths appear to be a settling of scores between rival gangs and corrupt police officers linked to them. That reduces the immediate pressure on politicians to fix the crisis, and the cartels are so powerful it is unclear how they can beaten.

Nowhere is spared. The butchers struck in the swank coastal resort of Acapulco on Friday, where two severed heads were dumped outside state offices, and in the tin-roofed shanty towns ringing gritty cities on the U.S. border.

This week, two women were killed in burst of assault rifle fire in Tijuana, south of San Diego, while days earlier 70 heavily armed enforcers lured three policemen and a civilian into an ambush and chopped off their heads.

"It's tough going out on the streets. You just don't know what's going to happen," said Tijuana dentist Maritza Salcido. "Almost every day there are robberies, kidnaps and executions like those of the policemen."

Leftist front runner Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and ruling party rival Felipe Calderon have sparred over job creation, graft and the economy, while plans to crack down on Mexico's rampaging drug outlaws have been left until later."

Forget the New England charm, forget the busy summer tourist season that fuels the local economy  a Cape Cod town council has declared its community is "not a sanctuary for illegal aliens" and has unanimously passed a bylaw to fine businesses $1,000 that employ undocumented workers and to revoke their licenses if they do it repeatedly.

The Sandwich, Mass., Board of Selectmen voted 5-to-0 Thursday evening to attempt to control the influx of illegal immigrants by penalizing the employers who hire them.

"It is very clear that our country is now in the midst of one of the greatest threats to its existence in our history," Selectman Douglas Dexter, who proposed the order, said. "There are millions of criminal aliens invading our cities and towns and destroying the social services and legal systems of our communities."

Sandwich is a seaside community of 23,000 residents located in the northwest corner of Cape Cod. Incorporated in 1639, it's is the oldest town on Cape Cod and one of the oldest towns in the U.S., settled by European immigrants nearly 150 years before the American Revolution.

The proposed bylaw will not take effect until a vote by town meeting, which is expected to be held this fall.

Of the 14,000 registered voters in Sandwich, 3,531 are Democrats and 3,138 are Republicans. All five elected selectmen are registered Republicans.

Dexter said his proposal wasn't motivated by specific concerns in Sandwich, but, rather, frustration with the federal government's failure to deal with illegal immigration and enforce existing laws.

"We have politicians who have turned to mush," he said.

A portion of Dexter's proposal that would have declared English the official language of Sandwich was rejected by his fellow selectmen who were concerned it might offend some of the town's foreign visitors.

Despite the unanimous support for the measure, several of the selectmen voting in the affirmative expressed concern about the bylaw's legality and the town's ability to enforce it.

According to Sandwich's town administrator, Dexter's proposal was submitted to the town attorney but has not yet been fully reviewed.

Terence Burke, a spokesman for State Attorney General Tom Reilly told the Cape Cod Times he could not comment on the bylaw's legality, but that "the Attorney General believes the flow of illegal immigrants into our country and the failure of the Bush administration to enforce our immigration laws is a significant national problem that requires a broad national solution. This problem shouldn't be solved state by state, city by city or town by town."

Dr. Jacqueline Fields, the Sandwich representative to the Barnstable County's Human Rights Commission, said she had not known of the proposed bylaw, but criticized "the unfortunate use of language" by Dexter and other board members. "We need to use language that is less inflammatory and less derogatory," she said.

Dexter is undaunted and unapologetic.

"What part of illegal don't they understand? When they come over the border they are illegal," he said "I don't intend to go hunting for illegal aliens, but we need to take a stand. Most good laws act as a deterrent, rather than a punishment."

Wendy Northcross, president of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, expressed concern over the measure, noting that Cape Cod's tourist economy depends heavily on immigrants on temporary visas, particularly during the summer months when the workforce swells from 100,000 to 125,000. "The whole reason the country is involved in this debate is because immigrants are doing the jobs that Americans don't want to do," she said.

Dexter is quick to point out that the bylaw only targets those hired without valid visas or work permits. "I said legal immigrants are welcome  l-e-g-a-l with a capital L," he said.

Federal law requires employers to document employees' citizenship with an I-9 form. As WorldNetDaily has reported, the federal program in existence for the past nine years permits employers to use the Internet to instantly verify prospective hires' legal eligibility to work in the U.S., but is used by less that 1/10 of 1 percent of the nation's companies because it is voluntary, under-publicized and puts its users at a competitive disadvantage to firms who continue to hire illegal workers.

"Zilla checking in. I've been pondering the abundance of AQ messages lately. Very significant departure from the past. It would seem initially that they have been issued to rally the troops, so to speak, and get jihad rolling again following their defeats in Iraq and Afghanistan. Especially the second in as many days messages from OBL.

25
posted on 07/01/2006 7:17:00 PM PDT
by Godzilla
(I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.)

'Terence Burke, a spokesman for State Attorney General Tom Reilly told the Cape Cod Times he could not comment on the bylaw's legality, but that "the Attorney General believes the flow of illegal immigrants into our country and the failure of the Bush administration to enforce our immigration laws is a significant national problem that requires a broad national solution. This problem shouldn't be solved state by state, city by city or town by town."'

This man's JOB is to enforce the law in the state. He never does.

28
posted on 07/01/2006 9:20:08 PM PDT
by bitt
(NY Times to New York: Drop Dead!)

Thanks for the ping. I see the FReepathon started for this quarter, so I'm going to make my standard donation in the name of TM & NASCAR threads. I haven't participated lately, but I read the threads and rely on the information that is posted to keep me up to date. Thanks to everyone for your good work.

HONOLULU - An Spanish-speaking man who defense attorneys said was misunderstood by fellow passengers on a flight to Hawaii was found not guilty of interfering with a flight crew.

Santiago Lol Tizol, 37, who is Guatemalan, had been accused of threatening to kill a baby and assaulting the airline crew. A federal jury found him not guilty on Friday.

"This was paranoia on a cramped plane where people were pretty stressed out," said Assistant Federal Defender Matthew Winters. "He was not trying to assault or intimidate anyone on this plane."

Tizol paced the aisles of the Dec. 9 Northwest Airlines flight bound for Honolulu from Los Angeles and didn't return to his seat when flight attendants yelled at him in English, Winters said. At one point, passengers heard Tizol use a Spanish word they thought sounded like "baby" and believed he was going to strangle a 3-year-old on the plane.

When he headed toward the first-class bathroom near the cockpit, at least four passengers tackled him, Winters said.

Tizol had accidentally spilled water, drenching his clothes and seat, and was walking around because he was wet, the attorney said.

"I feel very satisfied," Tizol said through an interpreter. "I'm very happy because I think I didn't do anything wrong."

Assistant U.S. Attorney William Shipley said he respected the jury's verdict, but disagreed with the defense's assertion that Tizol was a victim of paranoia.

Tizol would have faced up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman This information is current as of today, Sun Jul 02 2006 00:39:30 GMT-0700.

Middle East and North Africa

June 14, 2006

This Public Announcement is being updated to alert Americans to ongoing security concerns in the region in light of recent events, including the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the deaths of three detainees at the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo, and the clashes between Palestinians and Israelis in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel. U.S. citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. This Public Announcement supersedes the Public Announcement issued on December 15, 2005 and expires on December 14, 2006.

Credible information has indicated terrorist groups seek to continue attacks against U.S. interests in the Middle East and North Africa. Terrorist actions may include bombings, hijackings, hostage taking, kidnappings and assassinations. While conventional weapons such as explosive devices are a more immediate threat in many areas, use of non-conventional weapons, including chemical or biological agents must be considered a possible threat. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Increased security at official U.S. facilities has led terrorists and their sympathizers to seek softer targets such as public transportation, residential areas, and public areas where people congregate including restaurants, hotels, clubs, and shopping areas. The November 2005 bombings against three Western hotel chains in Jordan and the April 2006 bombing in the resort town of Dahab, Egypt underscore the intent of terrorist entities to target facilities perceived to cater to Westerners. Potential targets are not limited to those companies or establishments with overt U.S. ties. For instance, terrorists may target movie theaters, liquor stores, bars, casinos or any similar type establishment, regardless of whether they are owned and operated by host country nationals. Due to varying degrees of security at all such locations, Americans should be particularly vigilant when visiting these establishments.

The death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the deaths of three detainees at the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo, and the clashes between Palestinians and Israelis have the potential to produce demonstrations and unrest throughout the region. In addition, the Department of State continues to warn of the possibility for violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests in the region. Uncertainty associated with the change in the Palestinian Authority government in the West Bank and Gaza may lead to increased levels of instability in the region. Anti-American violence could include possible terrorist actions against aviation, ground transportation and maritime interests, specifically in the Middle East, including the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa.

The Department is concerned that extremists may be planning to carry out attacks against Westerners and oil workers on the Arabian Peninsula. Armed attacks targeting foreign nationals in Saudi Arabia that resulted in many deaths and injuries, including U.S. citizens, appear to have been preceded by extensive surveillance. Tourist destinations in Egypt that are frequented by Westerners recently have been attacked resulting in many deaths and injuries, including Americans. Extremists may be surveilling Westerners, particularly at hotels, housing areas and rental car facilities. Potential targets may include U.S. contractors, particularly those related to military interests.

Americans considering seaborne travel near the Horn of Africa or in the southern Red Sea should exercise extreme caution, as there have been several incidents of armed attacks and robberies at sea by pirates in the last year. Military action by U.S. and allied navies in several subsequent incidents resulted in the capture or death of pirates threatening international commerce. No U.S. citizens have been hurt in these attacks. When transiting around the Horn of Africa or in the Red Sea near Yemen, it is strongly recommended that vessels travel in convoys, and maintain good communications contact at all times. For more information on piracy off the Horn of Africa, please see the East Africa Public Announcement at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1158.html.

On occasion, the travel of official personnel at embassies and consulates around the world is restricted because of security concerns, and these posts may recommend that private U.S. citizens avoid the same areas if at all possible. Services to U.S. citizens in countries abroad may be affected if employees' movements are restricted. If this happens, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. In case office hours are reduced, U.S. citizens in need of emergency assistance should telephone the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate before visiting in person.

In addition, U.S. citizens planning to travel to the Middle East or North Africa should consult the Department of State's country-specific Public Announcements, Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets, the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement and other information, available on the Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov. Up-to-date information on security conditions can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 in the U.S. and for callers outside the U.S. and Canada a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "The suspect is described as a man of middle-eastern descent, in his late 30's, approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighed about 170 pounds and had both a mustache and goatee. He was last seen wearing a light colored button down shirt and blue jeans (See composite sketch).

* Anyone with information is being asked to call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or the police non-emergency number at 703-691-2131."

Abu Ayyub al-Masri, aka Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, is the last remaining original member of the Mujahidin Shura Council in Iraq, and remains a central figure in al-Qa'ida in Iraq. Al-Masri is an Egyptian national who served as Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi's senior operational coordinator and arranged the first meetings between Ansar-al-Islam commander Umar Baziyani and al-Zarqawi.

Al-Masri has conspired with al-Zarqawi and al-Qa'ida in Iraq to launch terrorist attacks against U.S. personnel and property in Iraq, to include constructing and supplying vehicle borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) used in suicide attacks and providing safe houses for insurgents. It is likely al-Masri was involved in the construction of the VBIEDs that were used in the al-Zarqawi network attacks on the U.N. Headquarters, Jordanian Embassy, Ashura and Arba'een commemoration bombings, and the Assassin Gate attack on the Coalition Provisional Authority.

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Mousa Mohammed Abu Marzook is second in command of the political Hamas leadership in Syrian exile. In an interview, he tells SPIEGEL ONLINE that the agreement with Fatah on the foundation of a Palestinian state does not mean that his organization will recognize Israel. Hamas, he say, will remain committed to violence against its occupier."

"'Terence Burke, a spokesman for State Attorney General Tom Reilly told the Cape Cod Times he could not comment on the bylaw's legality, but that "the Attorney General believes the flow of illegal immigrants into our country and the failure of the Bush administration to enforce our immigration laws is a significant national problem that requires a broad national solution. This problem shouldn't be solved state by state, city by city or town by town."'

I am taking a moment of your time to thank you, sincerely, for your efforts and for setting an example, much like that of Hazelton PA, for the rest of the country to follow. I hope that you realize that had you NOT done so, the city of Cape Cod may have become vulnerable to RICO prosecution.

State Attorney General, Tom Reilly, needs to be reminded that it IS his job to enforce the immigration laws of this country and by NOT doing so HE has contributed to the problem.

Dr. Fields needs to understand that enforcing the law is NOT a violation of human rights, and,

Wendy Northcross needs to be reminded of the difference between Legal and Illegal immigration and to stop throwing around rhetoric designed to do nothing more than keep the flow of cheap labor for the open borders crowd.

I completely support your efforts! I sincerely believe that if COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM meant that employers were prosecuted for hiring illegals and if welfare benefits to illegals were denied, including housing vouchers, medicaid, cash, food stamps, etc., the problem will resolve itself because illegal immigrants will deport themselves. Illegal immigrants must NOT be permitted to attain drivers licenses, must NOT be permitted to Vote, and all future acceptance of Mexico's matricula consular ID cards, stopped.

Again thank you all for your efforts to STOP THE INVASION of illegal immigrants.

Americans doing what GWBush and our Open Borders/North American Union Leadership, won't.

Hazleton Mayor Barletta is a Horses Ass. He has a town that is 30 years behind the times. Barletta sat and watched the Illegals come in during the last 5 years. While I'm glad he spoke up about this issue he is not a savior nor can he ever be compared to the President.

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